"Hahaha..." The Emperor laughed, "Prince Qing is not here. If he were here, he would probably jump up in a panic if he heard you talking."
"No, no, at most Father will just feel honored."
"So, who have you taken a fancy to, kid?"
"No."
Yu Qingyi met the Emperor's smiling face and answered in a serious tone.
Xie Lingqin clearly saw Nan Fenghuang's eyebrows furrow and her eyes darken slightly as she spoke those two words.
"No?"
The Emperor smiled and glanced at Nan Fenghuang, "I've heard that you and the Princess of Nan Qi are quite close..."
“Oh dear, Imperial Uncle, Princess Nan and I are just friends. She’s so rude. If I were to be with her, she would probably turn the Qing Prince’s mansion upside down in the future.”
Yu Qingyi spoke with a smile, but every word was a refusal. Before the Emperor could ask any questions, she raised her wine cup and lightly clinked it against Nan Fenghuang's cup. "Come on, Nan Fenghuang, right? If you won't harm me, I won't harm you either."
Nan Fenghuang was still dressed in bright red, her eyes sparkling, her brows and eyes dark. At this moment, the corners of her lips were turned down, and a dark glint flashed in her eyes. When she raised her wine cup again, she laughed freely, "Of course, you don't have the good fortune to marry me." Then, she looked at the Emperor and chuckled, "Northern Emperor, you are the same age as my father, you can't just play matchmaker."
The woman's seemingly playful words startled the emperor slightly. Suddenly, his gaze swept over Nangong Feng, who had been sitting silently to the side.
"I heard that the Second Prince was injured on the face, which is why he has to wear a mask?"
The person who said this was Zhuidamu, and he didn't seem to have any good intentions.
Nangong Feng nodded slightly, "That's right. I was afraid of offending Your Majesty, so I specially covered my face with a mask."
"I once heard that the second prince of Southern Qi was handsome, and many women in Southern Qi longed for him. Now that his face is damaged, I'm afraid it will break the hearts of many women."
“Prince Zhuidamu is joking. Appearance is merely superficial.” Nangong Feng nodded slightly, his words revealing neither his inner character nor arrogance.
Zhuidamu's expression darkened, as if he found talking to Nangong Feng pointless. He then looked at Nan Fenghuang and said, "Princess Nan, why don't you marry one of my barbarian men? My barbarian men are all brave and fierce warriors, and they will certainly not disgrace you."
Upon hearing this, Yu Qingyi's eyelashes trembled, but she did not interrupt.
“Prince Zhuidamu is joking. My father thinks I am still young and wants to stay by his side for a few more years.”
Nan Fenghuang's impeccable words left Xie Lingqin slightly taken aback.
When this Southern Princess befriended her, she was uninhibited in her words and actions, cheerful and carefree, which did not match her shrewd appearance. However, once she befriended others, she became extremely clever.
"but……"
The words "Your Majesty's long life" drew everyone's attention back.
"But, young Yi, I have promised Prince Qing that I would definitely arrange your marriage today."
The emperor tapped the table with his finger, and the fine lines on the table seemed to say, "It is not to be defied."
Yu Qingyi looked at the Emperor calmly and with a smile, "Uncle Emperor, you won't make things difficult for me, will you? If you insist on bestowing a marriage upon me, then look around the palace and the Imperial Garden, and just summon a few palace maids to reward me."
Yu Qingyi simply resorted to shamelessness.
Xie Lingqin was of no help at this moment. Not to mention, the Emperor disliked her and was wary of her, having just spoken to her. If she were to speak now...
It's true that the tallest branch catches the most wind, and the first bird to stick its head out gets shot.
Sigh, this banquet, a trap set by all sides, was exhausting.
Yu Qingyi knew that Xie Lingqin couldn't help him, so he didn't glance at her at all. Instead, he looked at the Crown Prince next to the Emperor and said, "Crown Prince, we're having a great time. You have good taste. Why don't you help me pick out a suitable one in the Imperial Garden?"
"You're not right for them."
Yuwen Yao shook his head, looking disapproving. He then looked at the Emperor, seemingly confused by the Emperor's meaning. "Father, Yu Qingyi's temperament is still untamed. Finding him a wife would only harm the girl."
"How could it be a girl from a coastal family? This lad..."
The Emperor pointed at Yu Qingyi, his eyebrows furrowed and his beard bristling, "Didn't you see how much he boasted about himself just now? This kid needs to be taught a lesson."
"Uncle Emperor, do you mean to give me all the palace maids in this Imperial Garden so I can take them home and choose one by one?"
Yu Qingyi stood up abruptly, waving her hands, "This won't do, I can't stand it."
"No." The Emperor, sitting atop the dragon throne above all others, could convincingly portray himself as a gentle old man. He shook his head, a knowing smile on his face. "To keep you in check, one person is enough."
"one person?"
Yu Qingyi was taken aback. Their eyes met in mid-air, and both saw doubt in each other's eyes.
"Eunuch Ni," the Emperor said, looking behind him.
"Your servant is here."
"Go to the Empress's palace and see if she has finished talking with Miss Li. If they have, invite Miss Li over to me."
"Yes, we'll go right away."
Eunuch Ni withdrew, but everyone at the table seemed lost in thought.
Xie Lingqin was even more startled.
The Emperor may have invited Li Qingyu before, but the Empress intercepted her halfway. If anyone dares to do so, and the Emperor goes to ask for her back after so long, the Empress will naturally not be able to keep her any longer.
So...
Does the Emperor intend to betroth Li Qingyu to Yu Qingyi?
---Aside---
Update tomorrow morning at 9 AM~ Mwah~
This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not reproduce it!
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